Take a Stitch Tuesday Stitches 56 and 57

Sailor stitch and Sailor edging stitch are very similar so this week we have 2 stitches again. ( I promise I will take a little break soon and let anyone who is working stitches weekly play catch up) I have grouped them together as they illustrate how if you change a little thing it can totally change the look and usage of a stitch.

If you know either of these stitches by other names leave a comment as I would love to know them.

I first discovered Sailor stitch listed as a border stitch in Jan Eaton’s The Complete Stitch Encyclopedia listed as a border stitch but have discovered it is extremely versatile. Sailor stitch can be used as an edging stitch that can be worked along the hem or edge of an item. Since it s a buttonhole stitch with a chained base it forms a hard wearing ridge which makes it far more useful as a way to finnish and edge of something like a fabric postcard for instance, than regular buttonhole. It can also be used as an edge for appliqué work producing a ridged line around the shape.

Sailor stitch can to be working multiple rows to fill a shape or can be worked back-to-back. Most of the varieties of buttonhole will lend themselves to Sailors stitch too. A variation in threads will change the look of a stitch. Also this stitch can be used on plain or evenweave fabric. So although it is not very well known it is very versatile.

Stitch 56 Sailor Stitch

Sailor stitch is buttonhole with a chained base. To work this stitch you need to know buttonhole stitch and chain stitch

Work is stitch vertically from top to bottom

Have your needle emerge at the top-of-the-line and move it down the line and take a small bite of the fabric as illustrated.

With your needle pointing left keep the thread under the needle tip pull the needle through so you have a small buttonhole stitch.

Insert your needle at the base of the buttonholes stitch with the needle tip emerging further down the line. Wrap your thread under the needle as you would a chain stitch and pull the needle through

To secure the the chain stitch tie it off with small buttonhole stitch by taking a small bite of the fabric as illustrated.

Continue down the line. I think of the rhythm as being buttonhole, chain button hole chain and so on.

As you can see it is quite easy to work and as a result it is a quick edging stitch.

In this version you can manipulate the length of thread between each stitch to make larger loops which makes for an interesting edge too!

You start the same as Sailors stitch but the chain part holds the buttonhole bar down in place allowing for the thread between stitches to loop if desired.

Work is stitch down a vertical line from top to bottom.

Have your needle emerge at the top-of-the-line. Move it down the line and take a small bite of the fabric as illustrated.

With your needle pointing left keep the thread under the needle tip pull the needle through so you have a small buttonhole stitch.

Insert your needle at the base of the buttonhole stitch with the needle tip emerging at the other side of the buttonhole as illustrated. Wrap your thread under the needle as you would a chain stitch and pull the needle through.

Continue down the line in this manner.

As you work hold each loop on to the fabric with your left thumb (if you are right handed) until the little chain stitch anchors it.

As you can see it is quite easy to work and as a result it is a quick edging stitch. If you vary the tension of the thread between each buttonhole you will produce a looped edge

How to join in

It is not complicated. All you need to do is stitch a sample of this stitch or ANY of the stitches listed on the TAST FAQ page.

Once you have worked a sample, photograph it and put it online at your blog, flickr etc then swing back to the Last TAST post (you will find it under the category each week) and leave a comment that includes your web address. When you leave a comment include the http:// part of the address as then your address becomes a link and readers will be able easily visit and see your sample. Remember you can leave a comment about any stitch you have worked as long as it is listed on the TAST FAQ page.

Any special rules?

There are no rules but I do have a request, please link back here.

Further information

If you need further information on the challenge a list of stitches covered so far or directions on how to participate please visit the TAST FAQ page.

Annet yes the sailors edge looks like knotted buttonhole but it is not. I thought this at first too, until I realised that with knotted buttonhole the knot is made on the loop of the buttonhole and does not go through the fabric where as with sailors edge it is not a loop but a little chain stitch that goes through the fabric. It means the stitch sits very firmly on the foundation fabric.

Thanks for explaining, Sharon. I flipped through some of my embroidery books this morning to see if I could find these stitches. I found the sailor edging in Stitch Sampler by Lucinda Ganderton. There it’s showed at the edge of the fabric with wide loops, it looks very nice. So both stitches are new to me, which means no weekly post with old stitches.

I.m sorry I’m lagging behind. But I have finished my exercises for Triangular Feather Stitch, Herringbone Square and Buttonholed Herringbone Stitch : http://fabricfusion.blogspot.co.at/2013/03/tast2013-stiche-5253und-55-tast-2013.html
Still working on Laced Square Herringbone and looking forward to stitch 56 and 57; both are completely new for me. Thank you, Sharon, for this possibility to learn and all for sharing their works.

Love these stitches. I’m going to have to try more samples to play with them more. Mary Thomas’s dictionary of Embroidery Stitches has a very similar stitch to sailor stitch. It is called spine chain stitch. The difference is that the spine stitches are at an angle instead of at 90 degrees to the chain. That simple change makes a totally different look too.

I have been keeping up with the stitching, but have certainly gotten behind in posting my photos. Just too busy! Today was “catch-up” day and I posted #51 – #57 on my Flickr site. You can view them here http://www.flickr.com/photos/susie_w/ I do truly enjoy this process and continue to learn from it. I am still working on my large project of a pink Christmas tree skirt, so my stitches are all within the pink/green color range …. I remain very hopeful it will be a glorious finished treasure.

I am currently playing over on my other blog. Are you interested in sketching, drawing, and mixed media art journalling? Visit Tones and Tints is my personal take on creativity, and using the process of journalling to capture ideas, and develop skills.